Clorox to buy Nutranext for $700 millionClorox Co. said Monday it has reached a deal to acquire Nutranext, a privately held health and wellness company, for $700 million. Clorox said the purchase price represents 3.5 times 2017 sales. The consumer products company said it expects to fund the deal with cash and debt. The deal is expected to dilute earnings per share by 7 cents to 11 cents in the fiscal fourth-quarter, which ends June 30 and by 8 cents to 12 cents in fiscal 2019, before adding to EPS in fiscal 2020. The deal is expected to close in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2018. "Adding Nutranext to our portfolio is consistent with our strategy to accelerate growth through acquisitions of leading brands in fast-growing categories with attractive gross margins and a focus on health and wellness," said Clorox Chief Executive Benno Dorer. Clorox's stock has lost 4.7% over the past 12 months while the S&P 500 has gained 17.5%.

Clorox earnings rise sharply, outlook raisedShares of Clorox Co. were indicated up more than 2% in premarket trade Friday, after the consumer goods company reported a sharp rise in earnings and raised its outlook. Net income increased to $233 million, or $1.77 a share, from $149 million, or $1.14 a share, in the same period a year ago. The results include a 61-cents-per-share benefit from tax-reform legislation. The FactSet EPS consensus was $1.23. Revenue rose 1% to $1.42 billion, just shy of the FactSet consensus of $1.43 billion. Among the company's business segments, cleaning sales rose 1%, household sales grew 3% and lifestyle sales rose 3%. Looking ahead, Clorox still expects 2018 sales growth of 1% to 3%, but raised its EPS outlook to $6.17 to $6.37 a share. The FactSet consensus is $6.16 a share. The stock has rallied 8.6% over the past three months, while the S&P 500 has gained 9.4%.

Clorox consulted fragrance experts for the ‘scent experience’ of its disinfecting wipes Clorox says scent has become more important in cleaning products, laundry items and personal careClorox executives say scent has become more important to consumers, especially in products like its disinfecting wipes

Clorox earnings and revenue beat estimatesClorox Co. shares rose 1.3% in Wednesday premarket trading after the consumer products company reported fiscal first-quarter earnings and revenue that beat estimates. Net income for the quarter was $192.0 million, or $1.46 per share, up from $179.0 million, or $1.36 per share, for the same period last year. The FactSet consensus was $1.42. Revenue totaled $1.50 billion, up from $1.44 billion last year and ahead of the $1.48 billion FactSet consensus. The company reported record shipments of Clorox disinfectant wipes and Scentiva wipes and sprays, which were launched in Jan. 2017. Growth in the company's Lifestyle segment was driven by double-digit volume gains in the Burt's Bees Natural Personal Care business. Clorox updated its guidance, and now expects sales growth of 1% to 3%, compared with previous guidance of 2%-to-4% growth, and EPS in the range of $5.47 to $5.67, versus previous guidance of $5.52 to $5.72. The FactSet consensus is for sales of $6.15 billion, up from $5.97 billion last year, and EPS of $5.64. The change reflects Clorox's divestiture from the Aplicare business and an estimated 10-cent impact from the hurricanes. Clorox shares are up nearly 6% for the past year while the S&P 500 is up 22% for the period.

Goldman loses appetite for food stocks, downgrades Kraft Heinz Goldman downgrades Kraft Heinz to neutral, sticks with sell ratings on J.M. Smucker, General Mills and Procter and GambleGoldman Sachs downgraded the stock of food company Kraft Heinz to neutral from buy Wednesday, and said a squeeze on margins is putting earnings estimates at risk.

Home Depot, Wal-Mart among retailers that could get a boost from hurricanes Harvey, Irma Others, like Francesca’s, will need time to recoverWhile Hurricanes Harvey and Irma are causing devastation to many individuals and businesses, there are some companies that could get a boost from the storms.

Clorox profit rises above expectations, while sales growth matchesClorox Co. reported Thursday a fiscal fourth-quarter net profit that rose to $201 million, or $1.52 a share, from $165 million, or $1.26 a share, in the same period a year ago. The consumer goods company said earnings per share from continuing operations was $1.53. The FactSet EPS consensus was $1.49. Revenue increased to $1.65 billion from $1.60 billion, matching the FactSet consensus of $1.65 billion, reflecting growth from its RenewLife digestive health business and the benefit of price increases, which were partially offset by an unfavorable mix. Volume grew 3%, amid a 4% increase in cleaning, 5% growth in household and a 1% rise in lifestyle. The company expects fiscal 2018 EPS of $5.52 to $5.72. The FactSet EPS consensus for 2018 is $5.69. The stock, which is still inactive in premarket trade, has climbed 10.0% year to date, while the SPDR Consumer Staples Select Sector ETF has gained 6.8% and the S&P 500 has advanced 10.7%.

Charting a flat response to the Fed, major U.S. benchmarks hold first support Focus: Gold violates major support, U.S. dollar hugs the 200-day average, GLD, UUP, GD, RH, AMTD, GRUB U.S. stocks are mixed early Thursday, treading water after a Federal Reserve policy statement that signaled a generally positive view of the U.S. economy. Against this backdrop, each major U.S. benchmark has maintained first support, and remains within striking distance of record territory.

Stock market ends little changed as Fed stands pat on interest rates Dow ekes out gain; Apple ends with small lossThe Dow ekes out a tiny gain while other indexes post small losses after the Federal Reserve offers no surprises by holding rates steady and signaling it remains on track to deliver two more rate increases in 2017.

Clorox tops profit estimates as sales climbConsumer goods company The Clorox Co. said Wednesday it had net income of $172 million, or $1.31 a share, in its fiscal third quarter to March 31, up from $162 million, or $1.23 a share, in the year-earlier period. Sales rose to $1.48 billion from $1.43 billion. The FactSet consensus was for EPS of $1.30 and sales of $1.48 billion. Earnings "were driven primarily by higher sales, a lower effective tax rate and a gain from the sale of an international facility as part of the international business' Go Lean strategy, partially offset by significantly higher advertising and trade promotion investments behind product innovation, as well as lower gross margin," the company said in a statement. Clorox is now expecting fiscal 2017 sales growth of 3% to 4%, and EPS of $5.25 to $5.35, compared with a prior range of $5.23 to $5.38. Shares were not yet active premarket, but are up 8.4% in 2017, while the S&P 500 has gained 6.8%.

Nasdaq tags six straight record highs, S&P 500 holds the top of the gap Focus: Energy sector’s precarious posture, XLE, SIMO, MHO, KSU, TKRU.S. stocks are off to a mixed May start, treading water ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy statement, due out Wednesday. Against this backdrop, the S&P 500 is digesting its best week in two months — and has maintained the top of the gap (2,381) — while the Nasdaq Composite has tagged a sixth straight nominal record high.

Nasdaq nears the 6,050 technical target, S&P 500 nails next resistance Focus: Biotech’s rally attempt, XBI, JNPR, TRN, COL, LL, RACEThe U.S. benchmarks’ initially strong technical breakout has been punctuated by muted selling pressure, and in spots, a modest extension of the April spike. Against this backdrop, the Nasdaq Composite has effectively tagged a projected target — the 6,050 area — while the S&P 500 has topped less than three points from record territory.

Charting a massive two-day technical breakout, Nasdaq gaps atop the 6,000 mark Focus: Charting the U.S. sub-sector backdrop, Sources of strength and sluggishness U.S. stocks are mixed early Wednesday, digesting this week’s massive two-day technical breakout. Consider that the Nasdaq Composite has extended to uncharted territory — gapping atop the 6,000 mark — while the S&P 500 has reached next resistance, and the immediate selling pressure has been flat.

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